Carson Flores was toasting with Camille Rhodes when he heard his name being called and turned around, his expression momentarily tensed.
Damn, we really ran into each other!
Though this place is just the food street next to the pharmaceutical factory, and the chance of being seen from a passing car was not high, she still managed to see him.
Camille Rhodes’s curse really came true.
Camille Rhodes turned her head as well, her eyebrows slightly raised and a smile on her face, looking at Carson Flores with the air of someone ready to enjoy a good show.
If Camille Rhodes was afraid of seeing Shirley Miller just because she slept with Carson Flores, she wouldn’t have gone to the pharmaceutical factory to meet Shirley alone.
Camille Rhodes liked Carson Flores for being a daring and competent wild man; she didn’t care whether he was married or not.
She even enjoyed such scenes; she wanted to see Carson Flores flustered and cowarded.
It was like a game of strategy between men and women.
It wasn’t about embarrassing the other person, but rather about gaining an advantage over them.
After a brief pause, Carson’s face soon returned to normal, and he smiled and waved at Shirley, standing up and saying, "You jinx."
Camille Rhodes chuckled lightly, "Invite her to join us."
Carson Flores walked to the side of the road and said with a smile, "Finished work?"
Lydia Howell was sitting in the driver’s seat, her eyes drifting between the womanly Camille Rhodes at the food stall and Carson Flores, her gaze slightly complex.
Shirley Miller nodded, "Are you treating her to dinner?"
Carson Flores laughed, "Yes, she was planning to go eat some green Sichuan peppercorn fish. I was afraid of going to some remote place and getting beaten up, so I suggested eating here."
Shirley couldn’t help but laugh and rolled her eyes at Carson, "At least go to a decent hotel."
Carson chuckled, "Eating at a hotel with just the two of us, how awkward! A food stall with draft beer to drink and meat to gnaw on is much more energizing. Although she’s a young lady of stature, she didn’t find the food stall beneath her at all... You haven’t eaten yet, right? Join us?"
Shirley was taken aback, she had hesitated for a moment whether to greet him when she saw Carson, but in the end, she had, as if possessed, called out to him.
She didn’t know why she did it, perhaps to assert her presence in front of Camille Rhodes?
To indirectly tell Carson Flores and Camille Rhodes that she saw them dining together.
Shirley didn’t expect Carson to invite her so generously. Didn’t he feel awkward?
After all, she wasn’t really his wife; sitting next to him would surely affect his interaction with Camille, wouldn’t it?
"Is it really okay? You might be uncomfortable with me there."
Lydia Howell in the front seat rolled her eyes silently, her expression growing more complex.
During this time, she had come to roughly understand the relationship between Carson Flores and Shirley Miller: a nominal couple, sleeping separately in a hotel, yet caring and mindful of each other.
What kind of relationship was that?
Wouldn’t a normal wife insist on joining quickly and assert her presence upon seeing this scene?
What was Shirley Miller saying?
"You might feel uncomfortable?"
Carson laughed, "What’s to be uncomfortable about? Come on, Lydia, you too, why go back for a simple meal when there’s good food here?"
Lydia promptly declined, "I’ve got something to take care of later. Since you’re here, I’ll drive the car away now, and you guys can go back together later."
Carson turned to look at Lydia, who was insistent and slightly gloating.
I’m not about to get involved in your battle!
No taking hits for you!
Carson’s plan had been seen through, and with no choice but to give up, he said with a smile, "Alright, then go do your thing. I’ll take care of her."
After a pause, Carson took the initiative to open the car door and invited again, "Come on, the dishes haven’t even arrived yet. It’s perfect timing."
Seeing that Carson had opened the car door, and it seemed he wasn’t just giving a polite invitation while wishing she’d leave, Shirley no longer declined and obediently got out of the car.
When Carson and Shirley returned to the table, Camille had already asked the waiter to add cutlery and opened a bottle of beer for Shirley, placing it in front of her.
"Ms. Miller, you’re late, please sit down," she said.
Shirley sat down naturally and smiled, "I said before I’d treat Ms. Rhodes to a meal to express my thanks, but never got the chance. Today, I must make sure to toast her a few times."
Camille smiled lightly, "We’re all young people here, and friends too. Let’s not be so formal. Constantly referring to each other as ’Ms.’ and ’Chief’ at a food stall could easily get us laughed at by others."
Shirley laughed, "Okay, then let’s not be strangers. You can call me by my name or Shirley."
Camille’s eyes curved as she smiled, "Just call me Camille, that’s what my friends call me."
Shirley picked up the beer, unceremoniously filling a glass for herself, and lifted it, "Camille, cheers to you. Thank you for stepping in last time, or it would have been quite a hassle."
Camille clinked glasses with Shirley, "Hey, don’t mention it. Carson already sought the Martinez Family’s help. What I did was superfluous, just something I did on the side, nothing serious... It’s our first time drinking together, right? Bottoms up!"